Permanent wave hair roller washer

ABSTRACT

A rotary tumbling device is used to wash and separate hair rollers from permanent wave papers. The papers are removed from the tumbling device by fluid jets and are collected in a fixed receptacle.

O Umted States Patent 11 1 1111 3,802,448

Bell 1 Apr. 9, 1974 PERMANENT WAVE HAIR ROLLER 2,733,723 2/1959 Whitcomb 134/104 x WASHER 3,083,719 4/1963 Herrling 1 1 134/157 3,435,835 4/1969 Hobbs 1. 134/159 X [76] Inventor: Verna S. Bell, 6707 Concord Hill Rd Louisville, K 40223 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 570,786 7/1945 Great Britain l34/l04 [22] 1972 718,241 11/1954 Great Britain 134 104 [21] Appl. No.: 304,404

I Primary ExaminerRobert L. Bleutge [52] U.S. Cl. 134/104, 134/159 [51] Int. Cl B08b 3/06 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search .Q 134/104, 153, 157, 159

- A rotary tumblmg device is used to wash and separate [56] References Cited hair rollers from permanent wave papers. The papers are removed from'the' tumbling device by fluid jets UNITED STATES PATENTS and are collected in a fixed receptacle 1,362,930 12/1920 Dunkley 134/l04 1,428,125 9/1922 Street 134/159 X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PERMANENT WAVE HAIR ROLLER WASHER BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for washing hair rollers of the type used in permanent waving, wherein a number of strands of hair are wrapped in a small permanent wave paper which in turn is roller around the hairgroller.

One of the less desirable tasks in a beauty shop is that of washing permanent wave rollers. Generally when these rollers are removed from the hair the permanent wave curler papers clinb cling to them. The papers must then be pulled off or removed from the curlers one, or a few at a time, by hand, before the curlers can be washed. For this reason it is common practice to have a large supply of curlers or hair rollers, to be washed at some later time. By then the permanent wave papers have dried, stiffened, and have generally become even more stuck to the rollers. The chore of washing permanent rollers thus is even more undesirable. There is, therefore, a need for an apparatus which carries out this operation.

Washers for eggs and other articles'are the subject of such U.S. Pats. as .Nos. 2,966,159, 3,031,363 and 2,770,] 23. However, the pieces of apparatus described in those patentsdo not provide a means for separating the permanent wave papers from the hair rollers being washed. In accordance with this invention an apparatus is provided which does include means for separating permanet wave papers from the hair rollers.

. SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION This invention is concerned with a permanent wave hair roller washer for automaticallywashing hairrollers while concommitantly separating permanent wave curlers therefrom. .An advantage'of this invention is that the permanent wave, papers are driven to'a receptacle outside the washer and can thus be withdrawn at anytime, the curlers draining dry in the bottom of the washer. The curler washer includes a washing tank having side, back and front walls and an arcuate bottom.

.A circular disc is provided, the curvature of the periphery of which corresponds closely to the curvatureof the arcuate washing tank bottom. Means are included for axially supportingv the disc within thewashing tank parallel to a side tank wall, perpendicular to the-tank'bottom and sufficiently close to the bottom, front andback to prevent a curler from passing therebetween. A porous curler lifting shelf is carriedradially by saiddisc at its periphery, extending outwardly therefrom acros the tank to scoop curlers from the arcuate washing tank bottom during rotation of the disc. Means for admitting wash solution to the washing tank, and for axially rotating the disc are incorporated in the app aratusykadial rotation of the shelf causes it to scoop up hair rollers along with permanent wave papers, the papers adhering to the shelf and the curlers falling off during disc and shelf rotation. Fluid dispensing means are directed toward the shelf to dislodge permanent wave papers from the shelf. A paper collecting receptacle is positioned so that the-papers dislodged by-the fluid dispensing means are driven into it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the permanent wave hair roller washer described in my copending application the hair rollers are tumbled in the washer bottom and the papers whichseparate during the process are picked up.By means of this washer both the rollers and the curlers are picked up,

the curlers falling back into the wash solution as the papers are carried on to a removal point.

The advantage of the invention will become more apparent from a discussion of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective viewof one form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 but modified slightly.

FIG. 3 is still a different embodiment of the invention shown in perspective.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views showing various lifting shelf positions of the devices of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of still another variation.

Referring now to the washer shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus is in the form of an open tank 1 having identical sides 2, a curved or arcuatebottom 4 and front and rear panels 6. A pair of circular disc9 and 12 are fabricated with peripheries whose curvatures match the curvature of arcuatebottom4. In other words, when the discs are placed on the bottom 4 of the washer tank, but perpendicular thereto, there is little orno space therebetween.

Discs 9 and 12 are joined to each other by one. or more grid or screenshelves 14 in such a manner that the discs are approximately parallel to each other as shown in FIG. 1. The shelves-are soattached'thatthe shelf ends lie radially'almost on a line through the cen- 'fore, joumaled in suitable-bearingsQl5"for rotation header-20.-Spray header 20 is providedqwith spray-nozzles 23, (FIG. 4) or orifices, directed toward shelf .14. The spray impinges on the back-side of the shelf when it reaches the point wherein its -opposite, front, side faces paper receptacle 22. Paper receptacle 22can be integral with tank 1, or it can be capable of being'attached thereto. Drain means (not shown) is included in the bottom of tank 1 in case a liquid rather'than air is forced through header 20.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will now be considered,particularly with reference to FIG.

4. As discs 9 and 12-, alongwith shelves 14, are rotated, the shelves scrape the bottom 40f tank l andpick up permanent wave curlers and curler papers. As shelf 14 continues to move upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4, .water runs offand curlers fall off, leaving papers adhering'to the screen shelf. Thexdisc continues its rotation=until the shelf is in a'position about perpendicular to the base of the tank. At'this point spray from nozzles'23 is-directed toward the back side of the shelf as can bevisualized from FIG. 4. Asseen in FIG. 4, sprayheader20 is so positioned that spray therefrom hits'the backof is sufficiently rigid, only one disc 20 need be used rather then discs 9 and 12 shown in FIG. 1. The shelf edge away from disc 30 terminates within a fraction of an inch of the tank side.

It has been seen that in the apparatus thus far described the spray header is mounted above the tank and the shelves per se are stationary, their scooping effect being due to the rotation of the discs 9 and 12, or 30, and to their radial attachment thereto. In the embodiment of the invention now to be described in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 5, the spray header is positioned at the axis of the disc, and the shelves are pivotally rather than rigidly attached to the discs. Desirably only one or two horizontally disposed grid or screen shelves are employed. One of the vertical discs 40 carries a bearing, and one end of the shelf 44 carries a rod 45 adapted to be journaled in the bearing. At the other end of shelf 44 a crank arm 46 is attached. This crank arm passes through the other vertical disc 48, and end 49 of the crank arm terminates between rails 50 and 51 of track 52. Discs 40 and 48 are joined together in an approximately parallel relationship by rods or other means so that when one of the discs is rotated the entire shelf-disc combination rotates therewith. The combination thus rotates the way a horizontally disposed cylindrical drum would rotate.

In general, components of the apparatus of FIG. 3 are the same as those described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. The shelf-disc combination is adapted for rotation within a tank 60. The discs are journaled about a stationary shaft 62 supported by the tank sides. One of the discs carries a sleeve passing through one of the tank sides, to be provided with a drive wheel. This will be coupled with a motor (not shown). A spray header 64 surrounds shaft 62 and is provided with nozzles 66. Again one end of the tank carries permanent wave paper receptacle 68.

Referring now to the operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, curlers from a permanent wave, mixed and partially wrapped with permanent wave papers, are placed in the bottom 70 of the washer of FIG. 3. Wash solution is admitted through either a water line, not shown, or through spray header 64. After the permanent wave curlers are covered with washing solution the shelf-disc combination described begins to rotate, carrying pick-up shelf 44 with it as it rotates.

The rotation of shelf 44 as it revolves separately within the shelf-disc combination will be described in conjunction with FIG. 5. FIG. 5, showing crank arm 46 and crank arm track 52 gives the various rotational positions of shelf 44 during its revolution as the shelf-disc combination rotates in the direction shown by the arrow. ln position a, shelf 44 scrapes bottom 70 of the curler washer. During its movement from a to position b it scoops up curlers and permanent wave papers. At positions and d the curlers fall off of shelf 44, permanent wave papers adjering thereto as the shelf passes on through e,f, and g. In position h the papers adhering to the screen are driven into receptacle 68 by spray from axially disposed nozzles 66. When wash solution is employed for this purpose it impinges upon the sides of receptacle 68, and then runs into tank bottom 70 through perforations in grid 72. In positions i and j shelf 44 is beginning to invert to become positioned in scraping position a to begin another cycle. It will be appreciated that as the shelf-disc combination is revolved, the crank arm is pulled along in track 52, bringing about the rotation of shelf 44.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. If desired, an external spray header can be used with the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. When an external spray header is to be employed instead of a center header positioned on the outside of shaft 62, two tracks will be used instead of one. A crank arm will be rigidly attached to each end of the shelf. Correspondingly, two partial tracks will be utilized, one affixed to each tank end wall. The bottom portion of crank arm track 52 is shown in FIG. 5. This track will be used on one tank wall. On the opposite tank wall there will be an upper half track, there being no bottom portion of that track. This track is shown in FIG. 6. Hence track 52 will control the lower operation of the shelf, and it will pick up curlers and papers, operating as shown in FIG. 5. Half way up, however, say in position d the track will terminate. At this point crank arm track 72 (FIG. 6) at the opposite end of the shelf will control the shelf operation. It will be noted that as the unit continues to rotate from k to l, the crank arm causes shelf 44 to become inverted. The shelf then continues to be guided by track 72 through positions m and n to position 0. In position 0 spray from external header 74 drives the permanent wave papers into paper receptacle 68. In position p the shelf swings freely, neither crank arm engaging a track. The force of gravity, i.e., its own weight, the inverts the shelf. Subsequently the opposite crank arm engages the lower track 52 as rotation continues, beginning another cycle.

Other modifications will also occur to those skilled in the art. Thus instead of a double rail track with a rod riding therebetween, a single track can be used, the tip of the crank arm carrying a U-shaped attachment adapted to straddle the rail. In addition the washer parts can be fabricated of metal or plastic. Further, timers and solenoid valves and air drying means can be incorporated in the unit or it can be provided with valves for manual operation as desired. Such ramifications are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: v

1. A permanent wave hair roller washer for automatically. washing hair rollers while concommitantly separating permanent wave curler papers therefrom comprising: a washing tank having side, back and front walls and an arcuate bottom; a circular disc, the curvature of the peripheray of which corresponds closely to the curvature of the arcuate washing tank bottom; means axially supporting the disc within the washing tank parallel to a side tank wall, perpendicular to the tank bottom, front and back to prevent a curler from passing therebetween; a porous curler lifting shelf carried radially by said disc at its periphery and extending outwardly therefrom across the tank to scoop curlers from the arcuate washing tank bottom during rotation of the disc; means for admitting wash solution to the washing tank; means for axially rotating the disc,

thereby radially rotating the shelf carried thereby to scoop hair rollers and the permanent wave papers up on the shelf, the papers adhering to the shelf and the curlers falling off during disc and shelf rotation; fluid dispensing means directed toward the shelf to dislodge permanent wave papers from the shelf; a paper collecting receptacle; means holding the receptacle on the washing tank in a position so that the papers dislodged by the fluid dispensing means are driven into said receptacle.

2. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein the shelf is rigidly attached to the revolving disc and wherein the fluid dispensing means is a spray header located beyond the periphery of the disc substantially parallel to the shelf and at a point above the washing tank so that spray therefrom impinges on the back of the shelf when said shelf is in an approximately vertical position.

3. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein a disc is parallel to each side wall and the shelf is connected at each of its ends to a disc.

4. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein the shelf is pivotally connected to the disc by means rendering it capable of rotation about one of its edges, a crank arm integral with said pivot means but extending through the disc to the side opposite the shelf whereby the shelf is capable of being rotated by the crank arm, a crank arm track disposed to receive, retain and guide the crank arm, the track guiding the end of the crank arm as it travels in said track as a result of disc rotation, the shape of the track being such that the shelf on its downward path toward the wash solution is substantially vertical, with the pickup side of the shelf facing away from the axis of disc rotation, and such that the shelf is inverted prior to picking up curlers, its pickup side then being toward the axis of rotation, and wherein the dispensing means is a spray header located at the axis of disc rotation. 

1. A permanent wave hair roller washer for automatically washing hair rollers while concommitantly separating permanent wave curler papers therefrom comprising: a washing tank having side, back and front walls and an arcuate bottom; a circular disc, the curvature of the periphery of which corresponds closely to the curvature of the arcuate washing tank bottom; means axially supporting the disc within the washing tank parallel to a side tank wall, perpendicular to the tank bottom, front and back to prevent a curler from passing therebetween; a porous curler lifting shelf carried radially by said disc at its periphery and extending outwardly therefrom across the tank to scoop curlers from the arcuate washing tank bottom during rotation of the disc; means for admitting wash solution to the washing tank; means for axially rotating the disc, thereby radially rotating the shelf carried thereby to scoop hair rollers and the permanent wave papers up on the shelf, the papers adhering to the shelf and the curlers falling off during disc and shelf rotation; fluid dispensing means directed toward the shelf to dislodge permanent wave papers from the shelf; a paper collecting receptacle; means holding the receptacle on the washing tank in a position so that the papers dislodged by the fluid dispensing means are driven into said receptacle.
 2. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein the shelf is rigidly attached to the revolving disc and wherein the fluid dispensing means is a spray header located beyond the periphery of the disc substantially parallel to the shelf and at a point above the washing tank so that spray therefrom impinges on the back of the shelf when said shelf is in an approximately vertical position.
 3. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein a disc is parallel to each side wall and the shelf is connected at each of its ends to a disc.
 4. The curler washer of claim 1 wherein the shelf is pivotally connected to the disc by means rendering it capable of rotation about one of its edges, a crank arm integral with said pivot means but extending through the disc to the side opposite the shelf whereby the shelf is capable of being rotated by the crank arm, a crank arm track disposed to receive, retain and guide the crank arm, the track guiding the end of the crank arm as it travels in said track as a result of disc rotation, the shape of the track being such that the shelf on its downward path toward the wash solution is substantially vertical, with the pickup side of the shelf facing away from the axis of disc rotation, and such that the shelf is inverted prior to picking up curlers, its pickup side then being toward the axis of rotation, and wherein the dispensing means is a spray header located at the axis of disc rotation. 